Australians flee wildfires

State of emergency declared in Queensland where homes have been destroyed.

18 Oct 2009 07:17 GMT

Last February Australia suffered its worst wildfires, which led to the deaths of 173 people [Reuters]

However, there was hope that showers forecast for Sunday may help contain the blaze.

About 20 wildfires also broke out in the eastern state of New South Wales and others in Western Australia, but no properties were at risk.

One firefighter collapsed and died in New South Wales while attempting to extinguish a grass fire.

"Firefighters are men and women who are dedicated to saving life and property - it hits all of us hard when one of our own dies or is injured," Greg Mullins, the New South Wales Fire Brigade commissioner, said in a statement.

In February, 173 people died in the country's worst ever bushfire disaster.